Tent peg top tips for camping

Get your foundations right. It’s all about the tent pegs!

The humble tent peg can make or break your camping experience. They are vital in securing your tent or caravan annexe where you want it to be. Without them your nylon home away from home has no stability or protection against the wonderfully wild weather mother nature can sometimes dish up. Picture battling your tent in the pouring rain as it collapses or tries to fly away in the wind, or your annexe trying to lift off with all your camping paraphernalia on it. I mean, if you haven't had to hang onto a tent while the storm-to-end-all-storms tries to rip the tent out of your hands, have you even camped at all?

Of all your camping gear, your tent pegs are one of the most important items you can take and set the foundations for a fun camping experience. Believe it or not, there are some tips and tricks to tent pegs to make your life, and the camping stories thereafter, a whole lot easier. Check them out here:

1. Don't forget the pegs!

Make sure you have ‘em. Count them and make sure you have enough. There is nothing worse than getting to your campsite only to find you have left your tent pegs at home. Always carry spares, just in case.

2. Don't skimp on quality

Invest in high-quality tent pegs and choose the right pegs for the type of ground you are camping on. Tip: Plastic power pegs are good overall pegs, but titanium or steel pegs are great for hard or rocky ground.

3. Get the floor down first

Peg your groundsheet down first, then peg down the back of your tent or annexe first to prevent it from blowing away. Do this before you put any of your tent poles in. Tip: Keep your tent pegs in line with the tent seams.

4. Peg hammers are a thing!

Tap your tent/annexe pegs into the ground using a peg hammer which will help keep them from getting damaged. The handle can also be used to get the pegs out of the ground when you are ready to go home.). At a pinch, you can use a rock.

5. Mind ya feet

Do not stomp on your tent pegs to get them into the ground. Not only could this bend your pegs, but you could end up with a peg through your foot. Not a great way to start your camping adventure.

6. It's all about the angle!

Your tent peg angle is important. Hammer them in at around 45 degrees angled away from the tent…not straight up and down. This helps them stay in the ground during high winds.

7. Make it extra strong

For extra strength, place a 2nd tent peg behind the first peg. Join them by a cord with a slip knot over each peg. This will help prevent the first peg from being pulled out of the ground.

8. Hard hard ground

If the ground is hard, wet with water to soften, wait a few moments for the water to work its magic and then tap pegs in.

9. Consider upgrading

Drillable hex tent pegs can make your annexe setup super fast and easy. With a simple drill, hex bit and some drillable pegs, your tent can be ready to go without the hassle.

Yep, we’ve got you pegged as an outdoor adventurer! As you hear the wind whistling around in the dead of night, you’ll be glad that you took the time to make sure your camping foundations were strong. Looking for more beginner camping tips, check them out our quick guide to camping tips for beginners.